Damn, So Close!

"Ah, the air in the main world is still the best. It has such a reassuring smell."

Outside the Adventurers Guild, Gu Xin stretched lazily. Watching the adventurers in the plaza chatting freely, hawking wares, and haggling, he immediately felt at ease.

Although the secret realm could barely be considered a small world, it ultimately was not the place where he had grown up.

"The car is here. Let's head back."

Wang Quan glanced at his phone and called out to the three of them.

Time in the secret realm was synchronized with the main world. They had spent a night in the secret realm, so it was naturally the next day now.

Blue Star Card Shop.

Gu Xin was stunned the moment he saw the open shop door, thinking he had forgotten to close it before leaving.

But he quickly remembered that he had an employee in the shop now.

"Welcome."

"Shoko, it's me."

The moment Gu Xin entered, he saw Toyokawa Shoko sitting on the sofa, drinking coffee and reading a magazine.

She wore a white knitted long-sleeved top and a plaid skirt. Her smooth blue hair was still tied into two low ponytails. Sitting with poised elegance, her long, beautiful legs pressed together, she looked like a breathtaking painting beneath the sunlight.

Even Gu Xin had to admit that this girl's character design was simply too beautiful. Whether it was her appearance or temperament, she was flawless.

"Yes. It's wonderful that you returned safely, Boss."

Toyokawa Shoko's delicate lips curled upward. She rose to her feet and gave Gu Xin a slight bow, her sweet voice soft and gentle.

Gu Xin was taken aback, then smiled. His mood improved considerably as well.

"Would you like a cup of coffee? Going out must have been tiring."

"I'll have a cup."

Gu Xin did not stand on ceremony. Rubbing his neck, he walked over to the sofa and sat down, preparing to rest for a while.

Before long, Toyokawa Shoko came over carrying a cup of coffee.

"I know you don't like it hot, so I specifically added ice."

"Shoko, you're so thoughtful. Sit down too."

Gu Xin praised her.

"Would you like me to massage your neck? You must be tired after just getting back." Toyokawa Shoko blinked her large eyes.

"There's no need to go to so much trouble. It's fine, you—"

Gu Xin took a sip of coffee. He knew that Toyokawa Shoko had probably noticed him rubbing his neck before he sat down.

Oh my god.

Gu Xin glanced at the delicate, pretty girl. This girl was just too good at this—obedient, beautiful, considerate, and attentive.

But before Gu Xin could finish speaking, the blue-haired girl had already moved closer. One soft, warm little hand gently rested on Gu Xin's neck.

It actually felt pretty good.

Breathing in the fragrance so close at hand, Gu Xin said nothing. He merely turned slightly to make it easier for the girl to work.

"Boss, is the pressure alright?"

"Very good, Shoko. You're really amazing."

"Mmm, as long as you're satisfied."

Hearing Gu Xin's pleased praise, Toyokawa Shoko smiled reservedly.

"Oh, right, Boss. While you were out this morning, two girls brought over some things. They said they were materials for cards they commissioned from you."

"Oh, were they Miss Yin and the others?"

"I already put them in the back room for you."

The reason she had not placed them directly in the laboratory was because it was Gu Xin's private space. Without his permission, Toyokawa Shoko had not gone inside.

She knew where to draw the line.

After happily enjoying Toyokawa Shoko's service for ten minutes, Gu Xin drained the rest of his coffee in one gulp.

"Shoko, sit and rest. I'm going to make the cards."

"Yes. I wish you success."

Toyokawa Shoko gently flexed her sore hands and spoke to Gu Xin with an elegant, gentle smile.

Gu Xin went into the back room, took the materials Tang Yueyue had provided, and then entered the laboratory.

"[Flame Centipede], [Fire Swallow], [Hot Sand Monitor], [Tail Flame]... None of them are duplicates."

Gu Xin took out the materials and examined them one by one, discovering that all the magical beast materials Tang Yueyue had provided were different. The same was true for the fire-element items.

Not bad. That gave him more options for combinations.

"Let's try one set first." Gu Xin looked at the materials and pondered.

"[Fire Swallow]+[Fire Element]+[Red Eye]."

Gu Xin tossed the selected materials into the alchemical furnace, then took a deep breath. Hopefully, he could succeed on the first try.

If he succeeded, it would mean his luck was good today, and he could try making a demon card as well.

Come on!

Alchemical furnace, activate!

Gu Xin continuously poured magic power into the alchemical furnace. The furnace began operating, and a connection formed between his mental power and the furnace.

Beep beep beep!

Within the flames of magic power, the three materials gradually melted and fused together. Sensing this, Gu Xin's mental power began shaping the form of the card.

A handsome giant fire-element bird, sharp crimson eyes, wings and tail feathers like flames...

Gu Xin continued constructing it.

Seconds ticked by, with only a faint white glow flickering within the furnace.

Twenty minutes later, the furnace gradually dimmed, and slag continuously flowed from the card slot.

He had failed.

"Let's try again."

Gu Xin was not too surprised. He felt there was nothing wrong with his approach, so he began selecting a new combination of materials.

"[Flame Centipede]+[Fire Element]+[Wolf Fang]. All right, get in there."

Beep beep beep!

The alchemical furnace started up again. Gu Xin closed his eyes and focused, using his mental power to "watch" what was happening inside.

Once the materials had been refined by the furnace, he began constructing again.

This time, it lasted a full half hour. Gu Xin kept thinking, yet it blew up again.

"Damn it, I was so close."

Gu Xin rubbed his temples and cursed under his breath. He could tell he had nearly succeeded just now.

For some reason, when he imagined the card's final ability, the feedback from the card became extremely intense. He failed to balance his mental power, and it exploded.

"I need to be more meticulous this time. I've already failed twice..."

Gu Xin grabbed the kettle and took a sip of water. After making a slight adjustment, he looked at the materials again.

"[Hot Sand Monitor]+[Fire Element], and add a [Fire Sprite]."

Gu Xin put the materials into the furnace again. Though he said this was just to warm up, failing over and over was still irritating.

Besides, Tang Yueyue had only provided five sets of materials. If he failed five times, he would have to provide the materials himself.

Furnace, activate!

Beep beep beep!

The furnace lit up again, and Gu Xin steadily continued supplying it with magic power.

More than half an hour passed, and a card shimmering with a faint purple light slid out from the card slot.

"Phew, I finally succeeded."

Gu Xin picked up the freshly made card. After inspecting it, a smile gradually appeared on his face.

Very good. As expected of me.

Gu Xin took out his phone and sent Yin Xue a message. Well, that was because he did not have Tang Yueyue's contact information.

But it did not matter. The two sisters were close, so contacting either one was the same.

Gu Xin then went to the sink and splashed some water on his face. After that, he hesitated. Should he strike while the iron was hot and refine the Silver Demon?

But on second thought, he was in great condition right now. If he did not do it now, when would he?

"Damn it!"

Gu Xin was instantly filled with fighting spirit. A demon-type card—he was making it!